Catch unit for packing case or the like



y 1968 G. E. SWANSON CATCH UNIT FOR PACKING CASE OR THE LIKE 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 5, 1966 R O T N E V m GUNNAR E. SWANSON fiiwgwg'fw i ATTORNEYS.

y 1968 G. E. SWANSON 3,384,402

CATCH UNIT FOR PACKING CASE OR THE LIKE Filed July 5, 1966 2Sheets-Sheet 85 j '-9o i 90 ""56 7-74 54 -56 j L,-64 54 I .mumwl-lUnited States Patent Office Patented May 21, 1968 poration ofConnecticut Filed July 5, 1966, Ser. No. 562,556 14 Claims. ('Cl.292--113) This invention relates to a catch unit for releasably securingtogether two panels or the like such as found, for example, on a packingcase having a main body and a cover upwardly separable therefrom. In theuse of such a catch unit, a strike is fixed to one of the panels and thecatch unit is attached to the other of the panels adjacent the strikeand is releasably engageable therewith to hold together the two panels.

The catch unit of this invention is of the lever operated type,comprising a lever movable about a fixed axis and a multiple partlinkage pivotally connected with the lever and engageable with thestrike. The relationship of the parts is such that when the linkage isengaged with the strike, the axis about which the linkage is connectedwith the lever moves overcenter with respect to the fixed lever axis asthe lever is moved between opened and closed positions.

The general object of the invention is to provide a catch unit of theaforedescribed type wherein said multiple part linkage when not in usemay be moved to and releasably retained in an unobtrusive inactiveposition relative to the remainder of the parts of the catch unit.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a catch unit ofthe foregoing character having a low profile both when said multiplepart linkage is in its active strike engaging position and when in itsinactive position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a catch unit of theforegoing character which includes a spring for exerting a spring loadbetween the catch unit and the strike when the catch unit is closed andwherein the spring is also used to provide a spring force used tomaintain the multiple part linkage in its inactive position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedescription which follows and from the drawings forming a part thereof.

The drawings show preferred embodiments of the invention and suchembodiments will be described, but it will be understood that variouschanges may be made from the constructions disclosed, and that thedrawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limitingthe scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of thisspecification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a fastening device embodying the presentinvention, the device being shown mounted on two separable panels and ina closed condition.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a somewhat enlarged vertical sectional view taken along theline 3-3 of FIG. 1 and showing the parts of the linkage in position fordisengagement from the strike.

FIG. 4 is a view generally similar to FIG. 3, but showing the operatinglever in its closed position and the multiple part linkage in anintermediate position.

FIG. 5 is a view generally similar to FIG. 4 but showing the multiplepart linkage in its inactive position.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of an alternativemultiple part linkage used on a catch unit comprising another embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the multiple partlinkage shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG.6.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIG.6.

Referring now to the drawings, and first particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2,these figures illustrate a catch unit 10 embodying the invention andadapted for use on a packing case or the like having a main body A and acover B upwardly separable from the main body. The catch unit 10 isadapted for use in cooperation with a strike 12 fixed to the case coverB and which includes a dependent portion 14 adapted for engagement withthe catch '10. The strike may be variously formed, but preferably and asshown it includes a slot 16 formed in the dependent portion 14 forreceiving a hook associated with the catch linkage to be hereinafterfurther described. The cover B may be hinged to the case body A at oneside and when it is so hinged one or more strikes and catch units may beprovided at one or more of the other sides. Alternatively, the cover maybe without a hinge connection to the body A and held in place solely bya plurality of suitably distributed strikes and catch units.

The catch unit 10 comprises an elongated vertically extending base plate18 which is preferably blanked and formed from sheet metal and whichincludes a depressed portion defining a forwardly opening recess 20surrounded by a forwardly facing flange 22 adapted for attachment to themain body A. The recess 20 is defined by parallel side walls 24, 24 andcurved upper and lower end walls 26 and 28, respectively, and has asubstantially flat generally forwardly facing bottom surface 30.Elongated vertically extending ribs 32, 32 and 34, 34 project forwardlyfrom the flange 22 immediately adjacent the side walls 24, 24 and serveas guards or bumpers to deflect or guard the other parts of the catchunit from moving objects that might otherwise damage or accidentallyrelease the catch unit. An opening C is provided in the main body A forreceiving the depressed base portion so that the flange 22 engages anassociated portion of the surface of the base body A and may be securedthereto by suitable fasteners such as screws, bolts or rivets.

Support for the operating lever of the catch unit is provided by a plate36 spot-welded or otherwise suitably secured to the surface andincluding a pair of transversely spaced forwardly projecting flanges 38,38 spaced from the associated side walls 24, 24. Each of the flanges 38,38 includes a centrally located forwardly opening generally U-shapedrecess 39 best shown in FIG. 3.

The operating lever is indicated at 40 and is arranged for movementabout a transverse pivot axis fixed relative to the base plate 18between a downwardly extending closed position as viewed in FIGS. 1 and2 and a forwardly extending open position as viewed in FIG. 3. As viewedin its downwardly extending closed position of FIGS. 1 and 2, the lever40 has two parallel transversely spaced and rearwardly projecting sideflanges 42, 42 each of which lies adjacent to and laterally outwardly ofan associated one of the flanges 38, 38. Connection between the lever 40and the plate 36 is provided by a pair of pivot pins 44, 44 each ofwhich is staked to a respective one of the side flanges 42, 42 andprojects laterally inwardly therefrom into a bearing aperture in theassociated flange 38. The lever 40 also includes an operating tab 46extending between the flanges 42, 42 and located downwardly from thepivot pins 44, 44 as viewed in FIG. 1.

As mentioned previously, a multiple part linkage is pivotally connectedwith the operating lever 40 and is 3 engageable with the strike 12. Thebasic parts of this linkage include a first link connected with theoperating lever for movement about a first transverse pivot axisrelative to the lever, a second link pivotally connected at one end withthe first link movement about a second transverse pivot axis relative tothe first link, and a third link pivotally connected to the other end ofthe second link for movement about a third transverse pivot axisrelative to the second link. The third link, in turn, has a free endportion provided with a hook or otherwise adapted for engagement withthe strike when all of the links are in a generally longitudinallyaligned active position. A spring means is preferably included in thecatch unit to resist any increase in the distance between the operatinglever axis and the strike when the third link is in its strike-engagingposition.

The spring means, if provided, may take various different forms, but,preferably and as shown, it is included in the first link and comprisestwo relatively movable partsa lower part 48 pivotally connected to thelever 40 for movement about the first transverse pivot axis and an upperpart 50 telescopically received in the lower part. The part 48 is arectangular tubular part having laterally spaced side walls 52, 52located inwardly of and generally adjacent the flanges 3'8, 38 when thelinkage is in its active position. The upper end of the part 48 ispartially closed by a transversely extending top wall 54 which includesan upwardly facing abutment surface 56 and which terminates inwardly ofthe side Walls to partially define two upwardly opening and laterallyspaced slots each located adjacent a respective one of the side wallsand communicating with the interior of the part. Pivotal connectionbetween the part 48 and the lever 40 is provided by a pivot pin 58 whichextends transversely of the element 48 through bearing apertures in theside walls and in the lever flanges 42, 42 and which is staked at itsend to prevent displacement. When the lever 40 is in its downwardlyextending closed position with the element 48 in an upwardly extendingactive position the pivot pin 58 is spaced downwardly and slightlyrearwardly of the lever pivot pins 44, 44 and is received in forwardlyopening recesses 39, 39 in the base flanges 38, 38.

The link part 50 has a transverse bottom wall 60 and upright laterallegs 62, '62 which extend upwardly adjacent the side walls 52, 52 andthrough the slots in the top of the part 48. The spring means, whichtends to move the upper part 50 downwardly relative to the lower part48, comprises a pair of compression springs 64, 64 located within thetubular part 48 between the top wall 54 of the part 48 and the bottomwall 60 of the part 50. Downward movement of the element 50 is limitedin a manner hereinafter evident.

The second link, indicated at 66, of the multiple part linkage isgenerally U-shaped and includes two forwardly projecting side walls 68,6-8 and a rear wall 70 extending transversely therebetween. The rearwall '70 includes a generally forwardly inclined lower surface portion72. The side walls 68, 68 receive the upper ends of the legs 62, 62therebetween, pivotal connection between the first and second linksbeing provided by a pivot pin 74 which extends transversely throughbearing apertures in the side walls 68, 68 and in the upper ends of thelegs 62, 62. The pivot pin 74 is headed at one end and peened or stakedat the other to retain the first and second links in assembledcondition.

Received upon the pin 74 is a roller 76 having a bore 78 substantiallylarger than the diameter of the pin 74 so as to be capable of limitedmovement relative thereto. The roller 76 is preferably generallycylindrical and includes two laterally spaced annular ribs or bearingsurfaces 80', 80, as best shown in FIG. 1, which normally bear againstthe abutment surface 56 and the inclined surface portion 72.

The third link, indicated generally at 82, of the multiple part linkageis an elongated member adapted for engagement with the strike 12, andfor this purpose the upper or free end of the link 82 is turnedgenerally rearwardly and downwardly to form a hook 84 adapted to enterthe slot 16 in the strike. The lower end of the link 82 is curledrearwardly and upwardly around a pivot pin 86 which extends transverselythrough the upper ends of the side walls 68, 6-8 and which is headed atone end and peened or staked at the other. The curled portion at thelower end of the link 82 includes a bearing surface 87 adapted to engagethe roller,76. A protuberance or cam surface 88 extends radiallyoutwardly from the bearing surface 78 relative to the pivot pin 86 andis engageable with the surface of the roller 76 between the bearingsurfaces 80, 86. At this point it should be noted that when the threelinks of the multiple part linkage are longitudinally aligned theprotuberance 88 is on one side of an axial plane 90 which extendsthrough the pivot pins 74 and 86 and that the surface 72 is on theopposite side of the said plane and inclined relative thereto, as shownin FIG. 3.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the parts of the catch unit 10 in a closed or activeposition and firmly holding the cover B in engagement with the body A.To achieve this condition the catch unit parts are first brought to therelative positions shown in FIG. 3, the lever 40 extending generallyforwardly and the links which form the multiple part linkage being in alongitudinally aligned or first position so that the hook portion '78may enter the slot 16 of the strike 12. By means of the tab 46, thelever 40 is then moved counterclockwise from the position of FIG. 3 tothe position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As the lever is so moved the link82 is moved downwardly to press the hook 84 against the bottom edge ofthe slot 16 and to thus draw the strike 12 and the cover B downwardly.When the cover and the strike have reached their limit of downwardmovement, the springs 64, 64 are compressed to permit continued movementof the lever and of the lower part 48 of the telescopic link. As will beapparent from FIG. 2, there is an overcenter action obtained by the axisof the pin 58 moving rearwardly beyond the line passing from the axis ofthe pivot pins 44, 4-4 to the point at which the link 82 engages thestrike. This action occurs as the lever 40 approaches its downwardlyextending closed position and acts to hold the lever in such closedposition. When the cover is to be released the lever 40 is movedclockwise by means of the tab 46 so that the parts are restored to therelative positions shown in FIG. 3. Then the link 82 may be swungforwardly out of engagement with the strike 12.

When the catch is not to be immediately used the three links of themultiple part linkage may be moved to inactive or second positions, asshown in FIG. 9, wherein the lever 40 is in its closed position and thethird link 82 lies generally adjacent and parallel to the first linkpart 48. In these positions the catch parts are displaced from the coverB and are located close to the corresponding side of the case A, so asto project forwardly a minimal extent. Provision is also made forreleasably retaining the links in their second positions to preventundesired movement of the catch parts when the case A is handledseparately from the cover.

When the three links of the multiple part linkage are in their active oraligned positions, the spring 64 urges the pin 74 and the associatedsecond link 66 downwardly toward the abutment surface 56 on the firstlink. The bearing surfaces 80, on the roller are thereby caused to bearagainst the bearing surface 87 on the third link and the abutmentsurface 56 on the first link to frictionally retain the links in theirrelative positions.

Movement of the links from their first or active positions to theirsecond or inactive positons is preferably accomplished by holding thelever 40 in its closed position to prevent any appreciable free movementof the first link, the rear surface of the first link part 48, beingheld by the lever in generally close parallel relation with the plate36.

As the second and third links are moved from their first positionstoward their second positions the protuberance 88 engages the roller onone side of the plane 90 containing the axes of the pins 74 and 86, andthe inclined surface 72 bears against the roller on the other side ofthe plane 90 and substantially diametrically opposite the protuberance88, with regard to the roller, the resist movement of the third linkrelative to the second link. The roller is thereby caused to rotate infrictional engagement with the abutment surface 56 on the first link.The second and third links pivot about the pin 74 in unison relative tothe first link to an angular position wherein further movement of thesecond link is arrested by engagement of the forward edge of the sidewalls 68, 68 with the forward upper edge of the first link part 48 asshown in FIG. 4. After the links are advanced to the latter angularposition it will be noted that the inclined surface 72 is generallyabove the abutment surface 56 and is inclined generally forwardly andupwardly relative thereto. Thereafter further counterclockwise pivotalmovement of the third link 82 about the pin 86 causes the protuberance88 to urge the roller 76 generally rearwardly to act upon the inclinedsurface 72, and thereby causes the second link 66 to move upwardlyagainst the action of the springs 64, 64. As the third link 82 is movedto the second position shown in FIG. 9, the protuberance 88 moves fromone to the other side of the plane 90 and over the roller so as toreleasably retain the third link in its second or inactive position.

When the links are returned from the inactive position to the activeposition it is preferable that the lever be held in its downwardlyextending position. The detent action of the spring loaded roller 76against the protuberance 88 serves to retain the third link in theangular position relative to the second link shown in FIG. 4 when thelinkage is pivoted from the inactive position to the active position.Pivotal movement occurs first about the pivot pin 74. When the secondlink attains a position of general longitudinal alignment relative tothe first link the pivotal movement of the second link is arrested bythe engagement of the rear surface 70 thereof with the first link legs62, 62. Thereafter further pivotal movement of the third link toward thefirst position causes the protuberance 88 to urge the roller 76downwardly relative to the pin 74 and relative to the abutment surface56 against the action of the springs 64, 64. As the third link is movedto the active position the protuberance again moves from one to theother side of the plane 90 and assumes a position in which it isreleasably retained in the manner as aforedescribed. It will thereforebe obvious that the protuberance 88 cooperates with the roller 76 andwith the first and second links to provide a means for causing thesecond link to pivot about the pin 74 relative to the first link beforethe third link pivots about the pin 86 relative o the second lnk when helinks are moved between their active and inactive positions and forreleasably retaining the links in their inactive positions.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show another embodment of the present invention whichcomprises a multiple part linkage indicated generally at 100 and adaptedfor use in a catch mechanism which has a base and a lever attachedthereto (not shown) generally similar to the base and lever of theaforedescribed embodiment but not necessarily including a spring meansfor resiliently resisting elongation of the catch unit in its closedcondition. Referring to these figures the illustrated linkage comprisesa first link and a second link, respectively indicated at 102 and 104,pivotally connected by a transverse pivot pin 106 for pivotal movementrelative each to the other. A third link 108 is pivotally connected tothe second link 104 by a transverse pivot pin 110 spaced from the pin106 for pivotal movement relative to the second link.

The first link 102 includes two upright transversely spaced andlaterally disposed legs 112, 112 which may, for example, but notnecessarily, comprise part of a two-piece telescopically arranged linkof the type generally aforedescribed. In the illustrated embodiment thefirst link has a lower part 113. Each of the legs 112 includes agenerally longitudinally disposed and laterally outwardly facing surface114 surrounding the pivot pin 106. Preferably each of the surfaces 114,114 are inclined relative to the axis of the pin, and to effect thisarrangement the upper end portion'of each leg is twisted slightly aboutits longitudinal axis. Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 6 the legs aretwisted so that the surfaces 114, 114 are inclined generally rearwardlyand inwardly.

As viewed in FIG. 6, the second link 104, which is preferably generallyV-shaped, has two longitudinally extending and forwardly projection sideWalls 116, 116 connected by a transversely extending rear wall 117. Thelower end portions of the side walls 116, 116 are apertured in a likemanner to receive the pin 110. Each side 'wall 116 includes a generallylaterally inwardly facing surface 118 surrounding the pivot pins 116 and110 and preferably generally normal to the axis thereof. The endportions of the pins 106 and 110 are suitably headed or peened toprevent lateral displacement relative to the link 104.

Considering now the third link 108, this link, as shown, preferablycomprises an elongated member the lower end of which is curled generallyupwardly-around the pivot pin 110 for pivotal connection therewith. Theupper end of the link 108 is adapted for engagement with a strike andmay, for example, be provided with a strike engaging hook portion asdescribed with reference to the previous embodiment. The link 108further includes generally longitudinally disposed and laterallyoutwardly facing surfaces 120, 120 which substantially surround the axisof the pin 110. Preferably, each of the surfaces 120, 120 is inclinedrelative to the axis of the pin 110 and in the illustrated embodiment isinclined forwardly and inwardly, as best shown in FIG. 6.

Also included in the linkage of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 is a means forreleasably retaining the first and second links in any relative positionto which they are moved. As best shown in FIG. 6 this means comprises apair of spring members 122, 122 each of which includes an end portionwhich is located between an associated outwardly facing surface 114 onthe first link and an inwardly facing surface 118 on the second link andwhich resiliently bears on said surfaces to frictionally resist movementof the second link relative to the first link. Preferably, each spring122 comprises an elongated piece of flat spring metal positionedinwardly of and generally adjacent an associated sidewall 116. Aperturesin each of the spring members .122, 122 receive the pivot pins 106 and 110 which extend transversely therethrough to support each spring memberfor pivotal movement in unison with the second link 104. Each springmember 122 is twisted about its longitudinal axis so that the endportions thereof are inclined in generally opposite directions relativeeach to the other.

Preferably, each spring member 122, is so arranged that the inclined endand portions thereof are in general complementary engagement with therespectively associated inclined surfaces 118, and 120, when the link-sare in a longitudinally aligned or active position as shown in FIG. 6and by the full lines of FIG. 7. Thus, it will be evident that thespring members cooperate with the links to provide a means forreleasably retaining said links in the first position.

The linkage is further preferably provided with a detent means forcausing the second link 104 to move about the pin 106 relative to thefirst link before the third link 108 moves about the pin relative to thesecond link when the links are moved between their active and inactivepositions and for releasably retaining the links in the inactiveposition. Preferably and as shown the detent means comprises a detent orprotrusion 124 struck inwardly on each of the spring members in generalradial alignment with the axis of the pin 11%,- and receivable inassociated complementary angulariy spaced first and second recessesrespectively indicated at 126 and 12S and defined by the associatedthird link surface 120.

When the links are in the ir active or longitudinally aligned positionsof FIG. 6 the protrusion '124 is received within the associated firstrecess 126 thereby serving to retain the third link against pivotalmovement relative to the second link. Pivotal movement of the third linkfrom the first or full line position toward the second or broken lineposition of FIG. 7 causes the second and third links to move in unisonabout the pivot pin 1% until further angular movement of the second linkis arrested by engagement of the second link with the first link part1E3. Thereafter further force applied to the third link 108 will causethe detent 124 to be released from the recess 126 and annularly advanceto the recess 128 to releasably retain the third link in the secondposition.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a catch for releasably securing together two separable panels orthe like, the combination comprising a base adapted for connection withone of the said panels, a first link, a second link connected with saidfirst link for pivotal movement relative thereto about a firsttransverse pivot axis, a third link having a strike engaging portionthereon connected with said second link for pivotal movement relativethereto about a second transverse pivot axis spaced from said firstaxis, said second and third links being pivotally movable relative tosaid first link and relative each to the other between a first statewherein all of the said links are generally longitudinally aligned and asecond state wherein said third link lies generally adjacent andparallel to said first link, an operating lever connected with said basefor pivotal movement about a third transverse pivot axis fixed relativeto said base between an open position and a closed position, said firstlink being connected with said lever for pivotal movement relativethereto about a fourth transverse pivot axis spaced from said thirdaxis, and means for releasably retaining said first, second and thirdlinks in said first and second states.

2. In a catch, the combination set forth in claim 1 and furtherincluding means for causing said second link to move about said firstaxis relative to said first link before said third link moves about saidsecond axis relative to said second link when said links are movedbetween said first and said second states by a torque exerted betweensaid firs-t and third links.

3. In a catch, the combination as set forth in claim 1 and furtherincluding a strike adapted for connection with the other one of the saidpanels, said third link having a free end portion adapted for engagementwith said strike, said links and said lever being so related that whensaid lever is in its open position and said links are in said firststate said end portion is freely movable to and from its strike engagingposition and beingfurther so related that with said end portion in saidstrike engaging position movement of said lever toward its closedposition serves to effect an over-center movement of said fourth axisrelative to a line passing from said third axis to the point ofengagement of end portion with said strike as said lever approaches itsclosed position.

4. A catch as set forth in claim 3 including spring means associatedwith one of the said links for resisting any increase in the distancebetween the two of said axes located at opposite ends of said one link.

5. In a catch, the combination as set forth in claim 1, furthercharacterized by said means for releasably retaining said first, secondand third links in said tfirst and second states including a pinconnecting said first link with said second link, said first linkincluding an abutment surface parallel to said pin, a roller received onsaid pin, and spring means for urging said pin toward said abutmentsurface on said first link.

6. In a catch the combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said meansfor releasably retaining said first, second and third links in saidfirst and second states further includes a bearing surface on said thirdlink generally parallel to said pin and said roller having a boresubstantially larger than the diameter of said pin and being adapted toengage said bearing surface.

7. In a catch, the combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein saidmeans for releasably retaining said first, second and third links insaid first and second states further includes said roller having a boresubstantially larger than the diameter of said pin so as to be capableof limited movement relative to said pin, said second link having aninclined surface thereon engageable with said roller and inclinedrelative to the plane containing said pin axis and said third link axis,said third link having a protrusion thereon arranged to engage saidroller on one side of said plane when said links are in said first stateto urge said roller toward said inclined surface as said links are movedtoward said second state and to move to the other side of said planewhen said links are moved to said second state.

8. In a catch the combination as set forth in claim 7 furthercharacterized by said roller having a pair of transversely spacedcoaxial annular bearing surfaces, said protrusion engaging said rollerbetween said bearing surfaces.

9. In a catch the combination as set forth in claim 1 furthercharacterized by said first link including a generally laterally oroutwardly facing surface surrounding said first axis, said second linkincluding a generally laterally inwardly facing surface surrounding saidfirst axis said means comprising a spring located between said outwardlyfacing surface of said first link and said inwardly facing surface ofsaid second link and resiliently bearing against said surfaces tofrictionally resist movement of said second link relative to said firstlink.

10. In a catch the combination as set forth in claim 9 furthercharacterized by said inwardly facing surface being normal to said firstaxis, said outwardly facing first link surface being inclined relativeto said first axis, said spring being supported for movement in unisonwith said second link and having a portion inclined relative to saidfirst axis and adapted to engage said first link surface.

11. In a catch the combination as set forth in claim 9 further includingdetent means for causing said second link to move about said first axisrelative to said first link before said third link moves about saidsecond axis relative to said second link when said links are movedbetween said first and second states and for releasably retaining saidlinks in said second state.

12. In a catch the combination as set forth in claim 11 furthercharacterized by said third link including an outwardly facing surfacegenerally surrounding said second axis, said spring being supported formovement with said second link and including a portion resilientlyhearing against said outwardly facing surface on said third link, saiddetent means comprising a protrusion on said ortion for engaging a firstrecess in said third link surface when said links are in said firststate and a second recess in said third link surface when said links arein said second state.

13. In a catch for releasably securing together two separable panels orthe like and for use with a strike or the like connected with one ofsaid panels, the combination comprising a base adapted for connectionwith the other of said panels, an operating lever connected with saidbase for pivotal movement between an open position and a closedposition, about a first transverse axis fixed relative to said base, athree link linkage associated with said operating lever and including afirst link connected with said operating lever for pivotal movementrelative thereto about a second transverse axis, a second link connectedwith said first link for pivotal movement relative thereto about a thirdtransverse axis, and a third link connected with said second link forpivotal movement relative thereto about a fourth transverse axis, saidthird link having a free end portion adapted for engagement with saidstrike, said three links being movable between an active condition atwhich said free end portion of said third link is engageable with saidstrike to exert a closing pressure thereon when said operating lever isin its closed position and an inactive condition at which said thirdlink is in an inobstrusive position relative to the remainder of saidcatch and out of engagement with said strike when said operating leveris in its closed position, spring means in said first link forresiliently resisting movement of said third axis away from said secondaxis so as to exert a spring load on said strike when said free endportion of said third link is in engagement with said strike and saidoperating lever in its closed position, and means utilizing the force ofsaid spring means for releasably holding said first, second and thirdlinks in said inactive condition.

14. The combination as defined in claim 13 further characterized by saidmeans utilizing said spring means for releasably holding said first,second and third links in their inactive condition comprising a pinpivotally connecting said second link to said first link, a rollerreceived on said pin and having a bore substantially larger than theouter diameter of the pin so as to allow said roller to move radiallyrelative to said pin, means defining a transversely extending surface onsaid second link which transverse surface is engageable with said rollerand inclined generally upwardly and forwardly when said links are intheir active position, and a protrusion on said third link whichprotrusion is located on one side of the plane passing between saidthird and fourth axes when said links are in their active condition andis located on the other side of said plane when said links are in theirinactive condition, said protrusion being engageable with said rollerand operating to move said roller relative to said pin against theaction of said spring means as it is moved from one side to the other ofsaid plane.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,374,687 5/1945 Komenak 292247 X2,953,404 9/1960 Miller et al. 292247 X 3,026,133 3/1962 Swanson 2921133,125,367 3/1964 Koch 292-247 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

J. R. MOSES, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A CATCH FOR RELEASABLY SECURING TOGETHER TWO SEPARABLE PANELS ORTHE LIKE, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A BASE ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION WITHONE OF THE SAID PANELS, A FIRST LINK, A SECOND LINK CONNECTED WITH SAIDFIRST LINK FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO ABOUT A FIRSTTRANSVERSE PIVOT AXIS, A THIRD LINK HAVING A STRIKE ENGAGING PORTIONTHEREON CONNECTED WITH SAID SECOND LINK FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT RELATIVETHERETO ABOUT A SECOND TRANSVERSE PIVOT AXIS SPACED FROM SAID FIRSTAXIS, SAID SECOND AND THIRD LINKS BEING PIVOTALLY MOVABLE RELATIVE TOSAID FIRST LINK AND RELATIVE EACH TO THE OTHER BETWEEN A FIRST STATEWHEREIN ALL OF THE SAID LINKS ARE GENERALLY LONGITUDINALLY ALIGNED AND ASECOND STATE WHEREIN SAID THIRD LINK LIES GENERALLY ADJACENT ANDPARALLEL TO SAID FIRST LINK, AN OPERATING LEVER CONNECTED WITH SAID BASEFOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A THIRD TRANSVERSE PIVOT AXIS FIXED RELATIVETO SAID BASE BETWEEN AN OPEN POSITION AND A CLOSED POSITION, SAID FIRSTLINK BEING CONNECTED WITH SAID LEVER FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT RELATIVETHERETO ABOUT A FOURTH TRANSVERSE PIVOT AXIS SPACED FROM SAID THIRDAXIS, AND MEANS FOR RELEASABLY RETAINING SAID FIRST, SECOND AND THIRDLINKS IN SAID FIRST AND SECOND STATES.